Life too short to put dreams aside

Every movie I see has one or two lines which catch my real attention, usually entering my store of tag lines to place on the bottom of outgoing Emails.

One such line, spoken by the Jack Nicholson character to his sycophantic assistant in “The Bucket List”: “Tommy, nobody CARES what you think.”

It is not the quote, nor the Nicholson character, to which I wish to direct focus, however, in today’s column. It is more the theme of that particular movie — two men ostensibly dying of cancer, who set out to do the things on their bucket list — essentially, things you would like to do before you kick the bucket.

Eight years ago, in complete surprise to me and anyone who knew me, I entered the world of cancer. Though now it seems like a bad memory, survived by someone else, I continue to chip away at my bucket list, aware in a way only cancer or other illness survivors can comprehend — that I do not have forever; each day is a gift.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, I will get the opportunity to hike up Pike’s Peak while raising money for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors.

This Colorado mountain has been part of my bucket list since 2001. The key issues here: Yes, I know training is required. I’ve been at it for 6 weeks. No, I do not know the possible effects of unfamiliar altitude on the likelihood of finishing; that’s hard to predict and can only be anticipated, not firmly diagnosed.

And, of course, this is a hike — up the finished trail, not a climb up the rough face.

Maybe that’s key to developing your own Bucket List; you ought to choose things that are within possible reach. What else ought to figure into developing such a plan ?

Well, part of the above is surely affordability.

I have never seen the Florida Keys. I would love to dive and snorkel the Florida Keys. However, the current financial picture precludes placing that trip on the short term bucket list. It has to go on the same bucket list as the file marked “See Australia”- the “if I ever have the money” list.

Actually, though, it seems a lot more likely than the Australia dream…

Are there relational issues that need to be added to your bucket list?

This was the first area I addressed. And am still glad that I did. A couple of friends whom I had drifted away from, since college, a couple of relationships with relatives that needed fine tuning — these moves were more important than hiking a 14K foot mountain.

What do you need to do to feel fulfilled, that is within your reach?

Of course I would still like to be a Packer linebacker for a season, as I would have at 15, but being over 50 years old and weighing 180 pounds does not fit the profile of an NFL walk-on tryout.

I’d encourage you, then, to think about your own bucket list.

Some readers, as I myself do, belong to the “We know tomorrow is no guarantee.” club.

Don’t risk turning in your keys to this ride through life without accomplishing, or at least attempting, the dreams you hold.